Never at any point do anything to compromise and operation, if things are good keep them good. - Imperial Guard field manual.
The more comfortable I am someplace, the more dangerous it has to be. - Chronicles of Lorentino
Rolando was on edge. He'd been working for morlatech a week, and he knew something was wrong. Sensed it in his blood. He never really put much belief in the Lorentino awareness his father advocated for, but he just knew things were up. The work just felt off, like too safe and out of the way to be a real mercenary posting, especially for someone low in the organization like he was. Especially an asshole like Delorey. Rolando should have been metaphorically shoveling shit (or even literally) and yet he was basically on lab duty, checking Id's and making sure technicians weren't doing anything against company code. Nihls was through the roof on the assignment, it was the kind of thing they wanted him to work towards and here he was off the jump with access to the labs.
"Morning Mr. Delorey." It was Simpson the administrator, he always said good morning in the most cheerful way, Rolando suspected he was a horrific monster if only because no one should be that happy all the time.
"Adminstrator Simpson." Rolando didn't have to be a gruff asshole, but he figured it best to keep everyone at a distance, lest anyone suspect he's not the real Delorey because he had cream in his coffee or something.
"Have a pleasant weekend?" Simpson was around too long, Rolando subtly looked around, he suspected something was up.
"No, my girlfriend wouldn't return my calls." Rolando had no girlfriend, but he figured it best to have had love trouble, no one wants to talk to a dude who's bitching about a spouse.
"That's a shame, hope things get better." Simpson left and Rolando was now wondering what that meant.
"Delorey what are you doing?" Straber had proven to be a micromanaging asshole, which meant Rolando didn't have to feign hating dealing with him.
"Checking people through?" Straber would constantly call in for status check ups and it confused Rolando since not only was he on video, he was personally wearing an id tracker that let Straber know at all times where he was.
"Get up here, I got work for you." Now Rolando really was afraid. First Simpson, and now Straber, shit was about to go down and he only hoped he could get in front of it.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Everything Looks To Be Fine
"When you are discovered do your best to escape, any time trying to reestablish your cover is time wasted in getting away."-Imperial Guard field manual.
"There has never been a situation that I talked myself into I couldn't talk myself out of, except for all the times I couldn't."-Chronicles of Lorentino
Facing down men with rifles it took everything in Rolando's will to not shift out of there. Nihls was practically screaming for him to do it. He knew differently though, it wasn't possible they had seen through his disguise, this was a test, it had to be. Everything in his Lorentino blood told him to just stand his ground and play his hand.
"What is this shit?" Indignant was the best tack he could take. The men with rifles didn't flinch, but Straber seemed to falter a little bit, either doubt or something else getting into him.
"We need to know who you are, because you aren't Vincent Delorey."
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" Straber seemed confused as to why Rolando was fighting it. Like he'd just accept he wasn't Delorey and come clean immediately. Rolando almost wanted to smile, he even quieted the screeching Nihls was doing in his ear. The men with rifles relaxed, Straber himself seemed to listen to another voice and then waved them off.
"Sorry about that Delorey we had to be sure."
"Sure of what? That I'm me? What kind of weird bullshit is this?" Rolando knew he had to sell the outrage, when people were testing you, being all too willing to let bygones be bygones means you're not who you say you are.
"No need to be affronted no damage was done."
"You almost had me executed in an office and I'm the one who's being too hung up on it?"
"You want the job or not."
"Its not a question of want, but need, but if you pull this shit on me again Straber we're going to throw down you understand that." Straber nodded, he was cowed by Rolando, it was the power position for him and he felt confident in exercising it. Rolando felt a lot better about the infiltration now.
****
"And Mr. Straber, let the fool think he's won, we need to find out who he's working for." The voice in Straber's ear was one he'd never heard before, but instantly regretted hearing.
"There has never been a situation that I talked myself into I couldn't talk myself out of, except for all the times I couldn't."-Chronicles of Lorentino
Facing down men with rifles it took everything in Rolando's will to not shift out of there. Nihls was practically screaming for him to do it. He knew differently though, it wasn't possible they had seen through his disguise, this was a test, it had to be. Everything in his Lorentino blood told him to just stand his ground and play his hand.
"What is this shit?" Indignant was the best tack he could take. The men with rifles didn't flinch, but Straber seemed to falter a little bit, either doubt or something else getting into him.
"We need to know who you are, because you aren't Vincent Delorey."
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" Straber seemed confused as to why Rolando was fighting it. Like he'd just accept he wasn't Delorey and come clean immediately. Rolando almost wanted to smile, he even quieted the screeching Nihls was doing in his ear. The men with rifles relaxed, Straber himself seemed to listen to another voice and then waved them off.
"Sorry about that Delorey we had to be sure."
"Sure of what? That I'm me? What kind of weird bullshit is this?" Rolando knew he had to sell the outrage, when people were testing you, being all too willing to let bygones be bygones means you're not who you say you are.
"No need to be affronted no damage was done."
"You almost had me executed in an office and I'm the one who's being too hung up on it?"
"You want the job or not."
"Its not a question of want, but need, but if you pull this shit on me again Straber we're going to throw down you understand that." Straber nodded, he was cowed by Rolando, it was the power position for him and he felt confident in exercising it. Rolando felt a lot better about the infiltration now.
****
"And Mr. Straber, let the fool think he's won, we need to find out who he's working for." The voice in Straber's ear was one he'd never heard before, but instantly regretted hearing.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Nihls To Meet You
"Trust is important, an operator must trust their handler implicitly and follow their instructions to the letter the operators life might depend on it."- Imperial Guard Field Manual
"The only person I trust is myself, and even then only half way, I've been known to screw myself for short term gains at the expense of long term thinking." Chronicles of Lorentino
"Just remember why we're here." Nihls was in Rolando's head, the sub dermal communication set up was top notch, but it still felt weird to Rolando. Rolando was currently sitting in front of a corporate representative who was viewing his application for corporate security. Rolando was wearing a cheap suit and was clean shaven, trying to sell the illusion of the fake corporate mercenary he was selling himself as.
"So Mr. Delorey what do you think you can bring to Morlatech?"It was to laugh for Rolando to be assigned to infiltrate the company of his fathers enemy, but in a way hurting Morley seemed like a very Lorentino think to do.
"I need work, you guys pay well." Vincent Delorey had been killed to set up this cover, he was a piece of shit according to Nihls, but Rolando felt a slight pang of guilt that a man had to die for him even if he didn't kill him himself. The executive snorted at his answer, the kind of response that didn't appreciate the bluntness to it.
"Do you even know what we do here?"
"Make money?" Rolando wanted to be a little more tactful, Nihls had assured him that nothing about Delorey was tactful. The interviewer did not like any of his answers and Rolando felt Nihls had for whatever reason purposefully lead him astray.
"Wait here." The interviewer got up and Rolando wanted to shift out of there, he didn't feel safe in the tiny office, and now that the only person in it was leaving, he felt even less safe.
"Swear to gods Nihls if you screwed me you better hope they kill me."
"A little faith, they are checking your background right now, and the genetic modification we did on you makes you indistinguishable from the real Delorey, his parents couldn't even tell the difference." Rolando didn't like the gene modding, his skin itched in a way that could never be satisfied among other issues. The interviewer returned and he had another man with him, bigger than he was and dressed in a uniform that denoted rank.
"Captain Straber, this is Delorey." Straber held out his hand and Rolando shook it. Firm and strong, Straber was doing the usual dick waving contest of trying to out muscle the other person in a hand shake. Rolando did his best to respond in kind to sell the Delorey cover.
"Welcome aboard Delorey." The man had a smile Rolando didn't like, something in it made him alarmed.
"See I told you you were freaking out about nothing." Rolando got up to follow Straber out of the room and was met by five men with rifles.
"Now Delorey tell us who you really are before we blast you into the next world."
"Fucking Nihls." It was the only thing he could think of.
"The only person I trust is myself, and even then only half way, I've been known to screw myself for short term gains at the expense of long term thinking." Chronicles of Lorentino
"Just remember why we're here." Nihls was in Rolando's head, the sub dermal communication set up was top notch, but it still felt weird to Rolando. Rolando was currently sitting in front of a corporate representative who was viewing his application for corporate security. Rolando was wearing a cheap suit and was clean shaven, trying to sell the illusion of the fake corporate mercenary he was selling himself as.
"So Mr. Delorey what do you think you can bring to Morlatech?"It was to laugh for Rolando to be assigned to infiltrate the company of his fathers enemy, but in a way hurting Morley seemed like a very Lorentino think to do.
"I need work, you guys pay well." Vincent Delorey had been killed to set up this cover, he was a piece of shit according to Nihls, but Rolando felt a slight pang of guilt that a man had to die for him even if he didn't kill him himself. The executive snorted at his answer, the kind of response that didn't appreciate the bluntness to it.
"Do you even know what we do here?"
"Make money?" Rolando wanted to be a little more tactful, Nihls had assured him that nothing about Delorey was tactful. The interviewer did not like any of his answers and Rolando felt Nihls had for whatever reason purposefully lead him astray.
"Wait here." The interviewer got up and Rolando wanted to shift out of there, he didn't feel safe in the tiny office, and now that the only person in it was leaving, he felt even less safe.
"Swear to gods Nihls if you screwed me you better hope they kill me."
"A little faith, they are checking your background right now, and the genetic modification we did on you makes you indistinguishable from the real Delorey, his parents couldn't even tell the difference." Rolando didn't like the gene modding, his skin itched in a way that could never be satisfied among other issues. The interviewer returned and he had another man with him, bigger than he was and dressed in a uniform that denoted rank.
"Captain Straber, this is Delorey." Straber held out his hand and Rolando shook it. Firm and strong, Straber was doing the usual dick waving contest of trying to out muscle the other person in a hand shake. Rolando did his best to respond in kind to sell the Delorey cover.
"Welcome aboard Delorey." The man had a smile Rolando didn't like, something in it made him alarmed.
"See I told you you were freaking out about nothing." Rolando got up to follow Straber out of the room and was met by five men with rifles.
"Now Delorey tell us who you really are before we blast you into the next world."
"Fucking Nihls." It was the only thing he could think of.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Motihater
Hate is a strong motivator. Rolando hated training. He hated everyone he trained with. There were four other operatives at the course and they all were hateable. Their handlers were nicer looking than Nihls, they didn't have a stupid name, and they all signed up and weren't press ganged into it like Rolando. He spent the moments not buried in mud or doing a physical task that seemed the opposite of espionage just sitting on his cot hating everyone. He also found hating himself was the easiest hate of all. That he had let things get this bad, let Trezlan and his life get him to the point that he can't enjoy alcohol anymore or make his own decisions. He could have left, could have just shifted out of the area and continued on enjoying being a useless person, but the hate wanted to be slaked, it thirsted to show everyone else he wasn't the screw up they all knew he was. So he stayed, and persevered, and took the beatings and the physical punishment. He didn't know what it had to do with espionage but his tormenters certainly seemed to think it did.
Two other operatives didn't make it. They tapped out unable to keep up, he didn't know what happened to them. He assumed they resumed service they were already apart of. Rolando didn't want to admit it, but he had no where else to go. So the hate and fear of what would happen without it kept him there. Eventually the physical abuse abated and the training began. Weapons training, lock picking, and electronic warfare were all covered. Rolando was crap at the lock picking, but figured shifting could save him there, he was surprisingly adapt at the electronic stuff much to the chagrin of Nihls who did not appreciate the not so subtle message he kept leaving on his work station.
It took six months, but eventually Rolando was finished with his orientation. He and two other operatives were officially recommissioned in a secret ceremony. The royal guard wouldn't acknowledge who they were or what they were to do should they be caught. Death before dishonor was stressed. He was given some money, changes of clothing, small arms and a mission. It was the most purpose he'd had in about a year, years if he was being honest with himself. And still behind it all like a puppet master orchestrating a grand show, his hate festered and waited.
Two other operatives didn't make it. They tapped out unable to keep up, he didn't know what happened to them. He assumed they resumed service they were already apart of. Rolando didn't want to admit it, but he had no where else to go. So the hate and fear of what would happen without it kept him there. Eventually the physical abuse abated and the training began. Weapons training, lock picking, and electronic warfare were all covered. Rolando was crap at the lock picking, but figured shifting could save him there, he was surprisingly adapt at the electronic stuff much to the chagrin of Nihls who did not appreciate the not so subtle message he kept leaving on his work station.
It took six months, but eventually Rolando was finished with his orientation. He and two other operatives were officially recommissioned in a secret ceremony. The royal guard wouldn't acknowledge who they were or what they were to do should they be caught. Death before dishonor was stressed. He was given some money, changes of clothing, small arms and a mission. It was the most purpose he'd had in about a year, years if he was being honest with himself. And still behind it all like a puppet master orchestrating a grand show, his hate festered and waited.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Why Don't You Handle Me Over a Drink
"Your information is out of date. I'm not in the military, I don't have handlers." Rolando tried to move against the restraints and found it difficult. He didn't exactly like his second enlistment so far.
"Its up to date, Commander Rolando Lorentino, espionage division." That was a surprise, his former job had been retrieval, and now he was to be a spy? He also noticed he'd been promoted in his absence, apparently failing up was still a thing.
"Commander?"
"I'm shocked you weren't more concerned with espionage." Nihls had a smug look that Rolando couldn't stand, but he didn't want to give the man the satisfaction to know he was right that being a spy was the more surprising revelation.
"Well I'd tell you why I'm not surprised, but then I'd have to kill you."
"At least you have your humor." Nihls pressed something and Rolando was brought to a standing position still strapped down.
"I'm still confused why a wash out like myself is back in the military, if you are doing this to get something from my father, I can't tell you where he is, I helped him kill a god, that's all I know." Nihls reacted like a bad fart had hit the room.
"No this is not about Trezlan Lorentino, this is about the opportunity you yourself provide the Royal military. As you say you're a wash out, someone known for being poor at both military and mercenary service, quite a mark of distinction for someone as young as yourself, usually it takes someone a lifetime to be listed as big of a fuck up as you are Commander."
"I try my best."
"Which makes you perfect for espionage, the corporate sector has gotten bold, but per our pact we can't openly move against them, and so we will not openly move against them. The plan is to send in agents like yourself to gather intelligence and if necessary terminate operations that risk the Empire."
"And if I say no?"
"Then we'll kill you, and before you think about saying yes and returning to your drinking ways, while you were out we injected you with a virus, it doesn't do much only makes the taste of alcohol unpleasant enough you'll retch immediately." Nihls smiled at that and Rolando really didn't like him.
"Well when you put it like that, why don't you sign me up for this espionage work, I mean the benefits sound amazing." Rolando just wanted to be free, he'd figure out what to do about the alcohol virus afterwards, but he knew just knew he had to get out of the restraints.
"Glad to know you're on board and not just saying something to be taken out of the restraints. Sadly my superiors don't feel that way so you'll still have to go through Orientation."
"I don't like the way you phrased that."
"You'll like the orientation even less." Nihls snapped his fingers and the tray was returned to the laying down position and unseen people were moving Rolando to his next destination. Presumably "orientation" though he could tell just from the rough way he was being tranported he probably would not like it.
"Its up to date, Commander Rolando Lorentino, espionage division." That was a surprise, his former job had been retrieval, and now he was to be a spy? He also noticed he'd been promoted in his absence, apparently failing up was still a thing.
"Commander?"
"I'm shocked you weren't more concerned with espionage." Nihls had a smug look that Rolando couldn't stand, but he didn't want to give the man the satisfaction to know he was right that being a spy was the more surprising revelation.
"Well I'd tell you why I'm not surprised, but then I'd have to kill you."
"At least you have your humor." Nihls pressed something and Rolando was brought to a standing position still strapped down.
"I'm still confused why a wash out like myself is back in the military, if you are doing this to get something from my father, I can't tell you where he is, I helped him kill a god, that's all I know." Nihls reacted like a bad fart had hit the room.
"No this is not about Trezlan Lorentino, this is about the opportunity you yourself provide the Royal military. As you say you're a wash out, someone known for being poor at both military and mercenary service, quite a mark of distinction for someone as young as yourself, usually it takes someone a lifetime to be listed as big of a fuck up as you are Commander."
"I try my best."
"Which makes you perfect for espionage, the corporate sector has gotten bold, but per our pact we can't openly move against them, and so we will not openly move against them. The plan is to send in agents like yourself to gather intelligence and if necessary terminate operations that risk the Empire."
"And if I say no?"
"Then we'll kill you, and before you think about saying yes and returning to your drinking ways, while you were out we injected you with a virus, it doesn't do much only makes the taste of alcohol unpleasant enough you'll retch immediately." Nihls smiled at that and Rolando really didn't like him.
"Well when you put it like that, why don't you sign me up for this espionage work, I mean the benefits sound amazing." Rolando just wanted to be free, he'd figure out what to do about the alcohol virus afterwards, but he knew just knew he had to get out of the restraints.
"Glad to know you're on board and not just saying something to be taken out of the restraints. Sadly my superiors don't feel that way so you'll still have to go through Orientation."
"I don't like the way you phrased that."
"You'll like the orientation even less." Nihls snapped his fingers and the tray was returned to the laying down position and unseen people were moving Rolando to his next destination. Presumably "orientation" though he could tell just from the rough way he was being tranported he probably would not like it.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
The Worst Hang Over Cure Ever
The world was spinning. Rolando couldn't remember what he drank, but he definitely didn't like the feeling he was in right now. It had been an eventful evening, he had gotten fired/quit from the shit squad. It was a mutual decision based on his drinking and not giving a shit, but he felt it necessitated drinking pretty heavily as an act of celebration separating himself from the mercenary life. But now looking up at a skylight in a building he didn't remember entering Rolando was regretting the decision immensely.
"Awake now Mr. Lorentino?" The name tag on his uniform read Nihls, pronounced Nyles he would later tell Rolando at length. Rolando didn't like him, and not just because of the smug tone in his voice. It was the little pointy white facial hair, it always seemed so manicured and polite, completely at odds with how Nihls himself was.
"Nihls? who what?"
"Nyles actually, but that's not important, what is important is that you are here." Rolando looked down now and noticed he was strapped in on a kind of gourney. The skylight overhead was part of a facility. He couldn't shift, but he didn't know if that was the drunk or some actual thing preventing him from doing it. Ever since he'd been on the benders his shifting ability had been severely limited.
"Where is here? And who are you?"
"Sanctuary, and I'm your new Handler commander, its nice to meet you." Rolando sighed, he was barely awake and already wanted to be drunk again.
"Awake now Mr. Lorentino?" The name tag on his uniform read Nihls, pronounced Nyles he would later tell Rolando at length. Rolando didn't like him, and not just because of the smug tone in his voice. It was the little pointy white facial hair, it always seemed so manicured and polite, completely at odds with how Nihls himself was.
"Nihls? who what?"
"Nyles actually, but that's not important, what is important is that you are here." Rolando looked down now and noticed he was strapped in on a kind of gourney. The skylight overhead was part of a facility. He couldn't shift, but he didn't know if that was the drunk or some actual thing preventing him from doing it. Ever since he'd been on the benders his shifting ability had been severely limited.
"Where is here? And who are you?"
"Sanctuary, and I'm your new Handler commander, its nice to meet you." Rolando sighed, he was barely awake and already wanted to be drunk again.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Odds of Survival Great
"You know we can probably live down here for years if I find some kind of food paste." We were exploring again, hadn't necessarily found anymore creatures, but hadn't found a way out either. Though to be honest considering how a glassing effects a planet, even if we could go top side, I didn't know if I wanted to be up there.
"That is a terrible thing to say Trezlan."
"What you find my company so offensive."
"Yes, you're a terrible companion, when you aren't lost in your own thoughts, you tell these horrible stories that you apparently find hilarious, but I find horrifying." I was hurt by Luke, but he wasn't exactly wrong, I've known for years I'm the worst to hang around for any extended period of time. It's why I'm not shocked Rolando treats me like he does, and that my wife died of exposure (ok it wasn't exposure, but when I'm feeling plenty sad for myself this is what I imagine it was).
"Well maybe I don't need you either Luke, why don't you go explore for a way out that way and I'll explore this way and if we never see each other again this has been horrible and all your fault." I walked off in a huff and Luke did as well. It was probably stupid for him since I understood the language and he did not, but rational thinking had fled hours before and so irrational thinking was the method for the day.
Thinking back on it, if only Luke and I knew at the time we were going to be under the ground for a year, we might have had been a little nicer to each other. Probably not, but you know these are the things you think of in hind sight.
"That is a terrible thing to say Trezlan."
"What you find my company so offensive."
"Yes, you're a terrible companion, when you aren't lost in your own thoughts, you tell these horrible stories that you apparently find hilarious, but I find horrifying." I was hurt by Luke, but he wasn't exactly wrong, I've known for years I'm the worst to hang around for any extended period of time. It's why I'm not shocked Rolando treats me like he does, and that my wife died of exposure (ok it wasn't exposure, but when I'm feeling plenty sad for myself this is what I imagine it was).
"Well maybe I don't need you either Luke, why don't you go explore for a way out that way and I'll explore this way and if we never see each other again this has been horrible and all your fault." I walked off in a huff and Luke did as well. It was probably stupid for him since I understood the language and he did not, but rational thinking had fled hours before and so irrational thinking was the method for the day.
Thinking back on it, if only Luke and I knew at the time we were going to be under the ground for a year, we might have had been a little nicer to each other. Probably not, but you know these are the things you think of in hind sight.
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